Godliness

One of the greatest joys in life is to have a part in getting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people across the street and across the world. For over forty years, my family and I have been privileged to be part of that group of people called “missionaries.” It is a high and holy calling. Being a missionary is not always easy; however, our Lord never told us it would be.

Several questions come to mind:

How do we encourage young people to consider God’s call upon their lives? I think that our homes, churches, and schools should be helping in this area. We ought to be producing young people who have a heart to serve God and obey Him. How do we do it?

How do we help those who do surrender to get to the field? Is this a time of sacrifice and drudgery, or can it be a time of joy and victory?

How do we help them to stay at the task? Too many go to the field and come home before they finish a term. It may be too easy today to buy a ticket and return home.

What about loneliness, depression, danger, learning a difficult language, culture shock, rearing children in a strange and foreign culture, getting along with other missionaries, or relationships with nationals?

From the early apostles to modern-day missions, we see Satan resisting all the way, but not winning. In the book of Acts, every time God’s “sent ones” entered new territory, we see the devil resisting. Yet, it is often sacrifice and love that win the hearts of the people to whom one is called. Names like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, John Paton, Alexander MacKay, Jonathan Goforth, and John and Betty Stam remind us that some have given much to share Christ.

Is there anything that will help us to keep our focus, serve our Lord, and stay in our appointed place? Let me speak about the G.I.V.E. of missions.

G—godliness

I—integrity

V—vision

E—enthusiastic evangelism

Let us begin with godliness. As I study my Bible and travel the world, I become more and more impressed with the fact that the majesty of God is always connected with the command to reach the world.

In the Old Testament we read often that events in the life of Israel were accomplished “That all the people of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God forever” (Joshua 4:24).

In Matthew 9:37, “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” This is a chapter about the power of Christ. He has power over death (the ruler’s daughter). He has power over darkness (two blind men healed). He has power over dumbness (a deaf and dumb man healed). He has power over disease: “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages…healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (verse 35).

In Matthew 28:17–20, the “Go ye” cannot be separated from the “all power is given unto me” or from “they worshipped him.”

In Acts 1:8, the “receiving power” and “be witnesses” is connected with Christ being lifted up. He is alive! He is coming again! Surely nothing could be outside the power of this One who died and conquered death.

In Isaiah 6, the prophet Isaiah saw Jesus according to John 12:38–41. The glory Isaiah saw was His glory. It is an undeniable truth that to be a successful servant, I need first a vision of my Saviour on the throne. The order is “I saw the Lord,” then “said I, Here am I send me.” Isaiah saw God as He truly is—high and lifted up, holy and glorious! God is not a buddy. When we see Him, we do not rush into His presence. We say, “Woe is me!”

The question arises, “Do we send forth laborers before they have seen the vision of His glory?”

Knowing about God is important, but knowing God is much more important. We need desperately to have a hunger and a thirst for God. We must seek God’s face if we are to live and prosper spiritually.

But are not all missionaries spiritually minded? Listen to William Carey, “I am very defective in all duties… In prayer I wander and am formal… I soon tire; devotion languishes; and I do not walk with God.”

There are so many things that take our time and attention. Our minds are cluttered with thoughts of raising support or buying equipment. What will we preach in our next meeting? What will people think of me? When will I ever get to the field? What if I do not win as many souls as my supporters think I should? How can I learn this difficult language? The car needs to be repaired. I must take the wife to the market. There are so many things I must do.

A person does not suddenly become spiritual just because he is on deputation or has arrived on the field. There is no secret formula, nor is there a shortcut for getting to know God. Bible study, prayer, church, soulwinning, and giving are all important. God is looking for men and women who are poor and contrite and whose hearts tremble at His Word, for through them He will accomplish great things.

While in language school in France in the 1970s, I became ill and entered a French hospital. I could barely speak French. That week, I read A.W. Tozer’s book Knowledge of the Holy. What a blessing it was to me. Occasionally, I re-read this book, because it reminds me that I must walk with God if I am to know His blessings. I believe this must be the first and major thing in my life as I serve Him. In missions today, we need Christians who thirst for God and the things of God.

This is part one of this article. Please click here to read part two, three, or four.